Document 4v0pp4XorG0G2qbbJdr8eVR9N

INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION TO: FROM: SUBJECT: C. ft. Lehmert ASBESTOS F11EE 1M JOIMT CCWFOCMPS cc: Mr. 0. T. Burch - Portland Mr. T. Wi* Klcharda - i'ylga Mr. T. B. Codfray - Portia DATE: Jtane 19, 1973 LOCATION: Detroit Siltt LOCATION: Tigard Lag 1 will try to respond to your euatewers' concern about aabostoa fiber prompted by our labeling of joint systeai bags. This cautl a label la required by the Occupational Safety and Heilth Adniolatration (OSHA). We have always used asbestos fiber in our jciot system products, eo if there Is a hazard, it is no different today chan it has been In the past. The hazard 1^ the inhalation of asbestos fiber. The degree of hazard would depend ou the concentration of asbestos fiber in the air and duration of exposure to that air* The health problems associated with asbestos have occurred in situations where workers have been exposed to high concentrations of asbestos fiber over a period of years. Joint confounds contain relatively saall percentages (2-61) of asbestos fiber. OSHA has imposed a number of stringent standards on plants where products are eanufactured containing asbestos fiber. These include limitations on the concentration of fiber in the air, procedures for handling the asbestos fiber, use of protective devices (res pirators), periodic medical examinations, and labeling of all products containing asbestos fiber. 1 am not aware of any OSHA regulations for the use of tolnt system products. However, it is recognized that there is some exposure during the mixing of dry products and the sanding of Joints after the Jelat compounds have been applied. The level of esbestos . fiber.concentration at these tiais is not presently known. The industry is currently planning tasts to detarmloe the level of airborne asbestos during the nixing and sanding. In the meantime, it would probably be advisable for workers engaged in these operations to wear respirators. Once mixed or wetted, the asbestos fiber is not subject to becoming slrborns and, therefore, is no longer hazardous. Per example, ready mixed products would present mo problem other them parhapa the sanding. Received by jM21 1973 rs>f OtVISIQH SGP 0006871 Mr. Jobs Voodsaall 2 Juno 19, 197 J Om solution of tb* asbestos fiber problem for all eoocarnad la to eliminate It from our product*. We ara oosagad la a program to flad way* to do th&a. Oar flrat effort* were with joint system textures because wo fait tha apray application praaantad some apodal problems. At tbia tlao wo ara about 90X coovartod to non-asbestos tarturo forwula*. Va ara now directing our attention to our dry and ready alxsd joint coapouada. 1 bop* tbia Information will anaver our customers' questions concerning tbe possible bacards of asbestos fiber and the actions being taken to eliminate or ainlaise those hasarda. CWL;*lt SGP 0006872